Actions Count More Than Words

Romans 2:12-16

To obtain a driver’s license in most states, one first must pass a written test demonstrating familiarity with the laws governing motor vehicles. One is then issued a learner’s permit so one can practice when accompanied by a qualified instructor. When one has developed the necessary skills, one is required to demonstrate their driving skill, and if it is satisfactory, may receive a driver’s license. No license will be issued until the ability to drive has been demonstrated.

Once a license is granted, the driver is expected to obey the traffic laws and operate the vehicle in a satisfactory manner. Failure to do so may result in fines, or suspension or revocation of the license. Knowledge of the traffic laws is not enough, they are to be obeyed.

In similar manner, obedience to the moral and ethical standards of God is far more critical than the ability to quote them. A person who has no training but does the correct things because he thinks that is the right way is much less dangerous than the person who knows the proper way but chooses to ignore it. Doing the wrong thing may cause an accident regardless whether one knew it was wrong or not. Just as passing the written driver’s test does not qualify one to drive, knowing right and wrong does not qualify one for heaven. It is the actions that determine the result.

“For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.“ (Romans 2:12-16)

Sometimes a little knowledge is leads to worse problems. Several years ago a certified gas pipeline welder was describing a project he was working on. Another man, who had a lot of experience in structural welding and repair work insisted that he use a different type of rod because it left a better looking weld, and was much easier to use. The pipeline welder became quite frustrated after a while. The rod the second man was recommending was really good rod, but it did not meet the specifications for the pipe line he was working on. To use it would cause the line to be rejected, and cost him his job and possibly his certification. While the other man was a really good welder, he was not qualified for pipe lines. His advice could not be trusted in doing pipeline work, because he did not understand the limits of his knowledge.

I Corinthians 8:1-2 warns, “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” Like the welder in the story, the Jews failed to recognize the limits of their knowledge. They believed they were qualified to teach others because they had the academic training and intellectual understanding.

“Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.” (Romans 2:17-20)

Unfortunately, they were like many college professors. They have a thorough academic understanding of the subject, having earned a Master’s, or Doctoral degree in their field, but have never worked ing the field. Their only practical work has been in a lab setting doing a carefully designed and controlled experiment. They were not themselves learning how to actually do the work.

“Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.” (Romans 2:21-24)

In the American education system, political figures, administrators, and college professors who have no understanding of the limits of their knowledge are setting guidelines and programs that are resulting in frustration with the educational system. Good teachers are frustrated by continual interference, students are frustrated by the constant changes and parents and employers are dismayed by the lack of learning. While the school’s avowed purpose is to educate the children, the majority of funding is devoted to developing a sports program, extracurricular activities, and administrative activities. Frustration with our schools is at an all time high.

Religious leaders today often do the same thing. Setting up standards that actually hinder spiritual development and turn people from God. Jesus describes the actions of the scribes and Pharisees, The Doctors and masters of their day in Matthew 23:13-28.

“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.” (Matthew 23:13-14)

The scribes and Pharisees often demanded standards that were nearly impossible to meet, while totally ignoring or breaking God’s cammandments, just as many religious leaders and groups today. They also work tremendously hard to get some one into the church, then teach a totally distorted standard, with the result he is worse off than when he started.

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.” (Matthew 23:15-22)

Finally, the academic leaders had become so caught up in minor issues they completely overlooked the major problems. Style of music, or clothing, or number of professions, or Bible version becomes more important than true spiritual life. Appearance is everything.

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” (Matthew 23:23-28)

Their actions are causing God to be blasphemed.